SKATE FOR A HOCKEY GOALKEEPER

PATINS DESTINES A UN GARDIEN DE BUT DE HOCKEY

English Abstract

A goalie skate for a hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate may comprise a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a blade for contacting ice, and a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises an outer shell comprising a synthetic material. The goalie skate may be cowlingless.

French Abstract

Il est décrit un patin de gardien de but conçu pour un gardien de but hockey. Le patin de gardien de but peut comprendre une botte de patin conçu pour la réception dun pied du gardien de but hockey, une lame pour le contact avec la glace, et un porte-lame entre la botte de patin et la lame. La botte de lame comprend une gaine extérieure comprenant un matériau synthétique. Le patin de gardien de but peut être sans capotage.

Claims

1. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
- a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a blade for contacting ice; and
- a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade;
the skate boot comprising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the foot
of
the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the
hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side of the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap defining a frontmost surface of the skate above the blade
holder for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap
being affixed to the outer shell; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot; wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a
synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of
the
body and defining an outer surface of at least part of the lateral side
portion ot the outer shell, the overlay comprising a second material, the
second material being less rigid than the synthetic first material; wherein
a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed without
any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer
shell;
wherein at least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side
portion
and the lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion
for
protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion;
and
wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced portion over a thickness of
the
non-reinforced portion is at least 1.1.
2. The skate of claim 1, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 1400

.
36
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

3. The skate of claim 1, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 145'.
4. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a support height of the
skate is
at least 70 mm.
5. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a support height of the
skate is
at least 75 mm.
6. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a thickness of the
lateral side
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
. l he skate ot any one ot claims 1 to 5, wherein a thickness ot the
lateral side
portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area of
the
lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a
second
area ot the lateral side portion ot the outer shell.
8. The skate of claim 7, wherein the first area of the lateral side portion
of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer in the height-wise direction of the skate.
9. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a thickness of the heel
portion
of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of
the
outer shell.
10. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a modulus of elasticity
of the
lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity of
the medial side portion of the outer shell.
37
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

11. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a modulus of elasticity
of the
lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity
of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than
the
modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell.
12. The skate of claim 11, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
13. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a modulus of elasticity
of the
heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the

medial side portion of the outer shell.
14. l he skate ot any one ot claims 1 to 3, wherein the synthetic first
material ot
the outer shell is molded material.
15. l he skate ot claim 14, wherein the molded material ot the outer shell
is
thermoformed material.
16. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
17. The skate of claim 16, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
18. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,

styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
38
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

19. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second material is
bonded to the synthetic first material.
20. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second material is
overmolded onto synthetic first material.
21. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
io
22. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness ot the medial side portion ot the toe cap.
23. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion tor tacing a small toe ot the toot ot the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
24. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the toe cap comprises a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
39
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

25. The skate of claim 24, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
26. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein a first part of the toe
cap is
stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
27. The skate of claim 26, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
to for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first
part of the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
28. l he skate ot claim 26, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for

facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion ot the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
29. The skate of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the first part of the
toe cap is
thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
30. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the toe cap comprises a

reinforcement.
31. The skate of claim 30, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

32. The skate of claim 30, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
33. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the ankle portion of
the outer
shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the ankle of
the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge for facing a lateral side of
the
ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge of the ankle
portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of the
ankle portion of the outer shell.
to
34. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the blade holder
comprises a
blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach and remove
the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade holder.
35. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein a ratio of a height of
the skate
boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
36. l he skate ot any one ot claims 1 to 35, wherein an underside portion
ot the
skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion of
the skate boot.
37. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein a bottom of the medial
side
portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
38. The skate of claim 37, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
39. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the reinforced portion
of the
outer shell includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer
shell.
41
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

40. The skate of claim 39, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer
shell
includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell and the
bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
41. The skate of claim 40, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer
shell
includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the bottom
of
the medial side portion of the outer shell, and the bottom of the heel portion
of
the outer shell.
42. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.15.
43. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.20.
44. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.25.
45. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein a ratio of a modulus of

elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
46. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein a ratio of a modulus of

elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
42
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

47. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein a ratio of a modulus of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
48. The skate of any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein the blade holder
comprises a
support connected to the skate boot.
49. The skate of claim 48, wherein the support is affixed to the skate
boot.
to 50. The skate of claim 49, wherein the support is fastened to the
skate boot via a
fastener.
51. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
a. a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot
comprising:
- an outer shell, the outer shell comprising a lateral side portion for
facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for facing
a medial side ot the toot ot the hockey goalkeeper, a heel portion tor
facing a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an ankle portion
for receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap affixed to the outer shell for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot; the skate boot being free of a tendon guard projecting
upwardly from the ankle portion of the outer shell;
b. a blade for contacting ice;
c. a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade, the blade holder
comprising a support connected to the skate boot;
wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material and
(ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body and defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the
overlay
43
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic first material; wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side
portion of the outer shell.
52. The skate of claim 51, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 1400 .
53. The skate of claim 51, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 145 .
54. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein a support height of
the skate
is at least 70 mm.
55. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein a support height of
the skate
is at least 75 mm.
56. l he skate ot any one ot claims 51 to 55, wherein the outer shell
comprises a
reinforced part exposed to impact with a puck during play.
57. The skate of claim 56, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises
at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
58. The skate of claim 57, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises
a lower region of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
59. The skate of claim 57, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises
at least part of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
60. The skate of claim 56, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises
at least part of the heel portion of the outer shell.
44
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

61. The skate of claim 60, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises
at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
62. The skate of claim 56, wherein the outer shell also comprises a non-
reinforced part.
63. The skate of claim 62, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the
reinforced part
over the thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.15.
64. The skate of claim 62, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the
reinforced part
over the thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.20.
65. The skate of claim 62, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the
reinforced part
over the thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.25.
66. The skate of any one of claims claim 62 to 65, wherein a ratio of a
modulus of
elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
67. The skate of any one of claims claim 62 to 65, wherein a ratio of a
modulus of
elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
68. The skate of any one of claims claim 62 to 65, wherein a ratio of a
modulus of
elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 2.
69. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 68, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side

portion of the outer shell.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

70. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 68, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a
second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
71. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 68, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
72. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 71, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of the
lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity of
the medial side portion of the outer shell.
(3. l he skate ot any one ot claims 51 to /1, wherein a modulus ot
elasticity ot the
lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity
of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than
the
modulus ot elasticity ot a second area ot the lateral side portion ot the
outer
shell.
74. The skate of claim 73, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
75. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 71, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of the
heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the

medial side portion of the outer shell.
76. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 75, wherein the synthetic first
material of
the outer shell is molded material.
46
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

77. The skate of claim 76, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is
thermoformed material.
78. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 77, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
79. The skate of claim 78, wherein the composite material comprises fibers in
a
polymeric matrix.
.. 80. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 79, wherein the second material
comprises
at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-
butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
81. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 80, wherein the second material is
bonded
to the synthetic first material.
82. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 81, wherein the second material is
overmolded onto synthetic first material.
83. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 82, wherein a thickness of the second

material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
84. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 82, wherein: the toe cap comprises a
lateral
side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a
medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;

and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is greater than a
thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
85. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 82, wherein: the toe cap comprises a
lateral
side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a
47
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-14

a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
86. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 82, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
87. The skate of claim 86, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
88. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 87, wherein a first part of the
toe cap is
stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
89. The skate of claim 88, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of
the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
90. The skate of claim 88, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for

facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
48
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
91. The skate of any one of claims 88 to 90, wherein the first part of the
toe cap is
thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
92. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 91, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
to 93. The skate of claim 92, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
94. The skate of claim 92, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
95. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 94, wherein the ankle portion of
the
outer shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the
ankle ot the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge tor facing a lateral
side of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge of the
ankle portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of
the ankle portion of the outer shell.
96. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 95, wherein the blade holder
comprises
a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach and remove
the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade holder.
97. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 96, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
49
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

98. The
skate of any one of claims 51 to 97, wherein an underside portion of the
skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion of
the skate boot.
99. The skate
of any one of claims 51 to 98, wherein a bottom of the medial side
portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
100. The skate of claim 99, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
101. The skate of any one of claims 51 to 100, wherein the support is affixed
to the
skate boot.
102. The skate of claim 101, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via
a fastener.
103. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
a. a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot
comprising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the foot
of
the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the
hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side of the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap affixed to the outer shell for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot; the skate boot having an upper edge, the tongue having an
upper edge that is part of the upper edge of the skate boot, a rear of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

ankle portion of the outer shell being configured to face at least one of a
rear of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lower part of an Achilles
tendon of the hockey goalkeeper and having an upper edge that is part of
the upper edge of the skate boot and lower than the upper edge of the
tongue in a height-wise direction of the skate when the skate is worn;
b. a blade for contacting ice; and
c. a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade, the blade holder
comprising a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach
and remove the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade
io holder, the blade-detachment mechanism comprising an actuator manually
operable to detach and remove the blade from the blade holder, the blade
holder comprising a support connected to the skate boot;
wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material and
(ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body and defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the
overlay
comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic first material.
104. The skate of claim 103, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 1400 .
105. The skate of claim 103, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 145 .
106. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 105, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 mm.
107. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 105, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
51
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

108. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 107, wherein the outer shell
comprises
a reinforced part exposed to impact with a puck during play.
109. The skate of claim 108, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
110. The skate of claim 109, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises a lower region of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
io 111. The skate of claim 108, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell

comprises at least part of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
112. The skate of claim 108, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises at least part of the heel portion of the outer shell.
113. The skate of claim 112, wherein the reinforced part of the outer shell
comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
114. The skate of claim 108, wherein the outer shell also comprises a non-
reinforced part.
115. The skate of claim 114, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
part
over a thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.15.
116. The skate of claim 108, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
part
over a thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.20.
117. The skate of claim 108, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
part
over a thickness of the non-reinforced part of the outer shell is at least
1.25.
52
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

118. The skate of any one of claims claim 108 to 117, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
119. The skate of any one of claims claim 108 to 117, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
12 O. The skate of any one of claims claim 1 08 to 1 1 7, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced part over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced part of the outer shell is at least 2.
121. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 120, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion of the outer shell.
122. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 117, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion ot the outer shell varies such that the thickness ot a tirst area
ot
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a
second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
123. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 117, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
124. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 124, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
125. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 124, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
53
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of

the outer shell.
126. The skate of claim 125, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
127. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 124, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
128. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 127, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
129. The skate of claim 128, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is

thermoformed material.
130. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 129, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
131. The skate of claim 130, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
132. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 131, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,

styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
133. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 132, wherein the second material is
bonded to the synthetic first material.
54
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

134. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 133, wherein the second material is

overmolded onto synthetic first material.
135. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 134, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
136. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 135, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
io and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
137. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 135, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion tor facing a small toe ot the toot ot the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion ot the toe cap; and a thickness ot the end portion ot the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
138. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 135, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
139. The skate of claim 138, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
55
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

140. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 139, wherein a first part of the
toe cap
is stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
141. The skate of claim 140, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of
the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
io
142. The skate of claim 135, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for

facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
143. The skate of any one of claims 140 to 142, wherein the first part of the
toe
cap is thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
144. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 143, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
145. The skate of claim 144, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
146. The skate of claim 144, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
56
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

147. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 146, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
148. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 147, wherein an underside portion
of
the skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion
of the skate boot.
149. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 148, wherein a bottom of the medial

side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the
io bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
150. The skate of claim 149, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
151. The skate of any one of claims 103 to 150, wherein the support is affixed
to
the skate boot.
152. The skate of claim 151, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via
a fastener.
153. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
a. a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot
comprising an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the
hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side of the foot
of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for facing a lateral side
of
the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
b. a blade for contacting ice; and
c. a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade, the blade holder
comprising a support connected to the skate boot;
57
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material and
(ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body and defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the
overlay
comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic first material; wherein the blade comprises an ice-contacting
surface,
the ice-contacting surface comprises a flat portion, and a ratio of a length
of the
flat portion of the ice-contacting surface over a length of the blade is at
least 0.7;
wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed
without
any cowling covering the bottorn of the lateral side portion of the outer
shell;
io wherein at least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial
side portion
and the lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion
for
protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion;

and
wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced portion over a thickness of
the
non-reinforced portion is at least 1.1.
154. The skate of claim 153, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 140" .
155. The skate of claim 153, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 145 .
156. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 155, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 MM.
157. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 156, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
158. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 157, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell.
58
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

159. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 157, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises a lower region of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell.
160. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 157, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the medial side portion of the
outer
shell.
161. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 157 , wherein the reinforced
portion of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the heel portion of the outer
shell.
162. The skate of claim 161, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell
comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
163. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 162, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.1b.
164. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 162, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced part over the thickness of the non-reinforced part of the
outer
shell is at least 1.20.
165. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 162, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.25.
166. The skate of any one of claims claim 153 to 165, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
59
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

167. The skate of any one of claims claim 153 to 165, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
.. 168. The skate of any one of claims claim 153 to 165, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
169. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 168, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion of the outer shell.
170. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 168, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a
second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
1/1. l he skate ot any one ot claims 153 to 168, wherein a thickness ot the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
172. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 171, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
173. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 171, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of
the outer shell.
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

174. The skate of claim 173, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
175. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 171, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
176. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 175, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
177. The skate of claim 176, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is

thermoformed material.
178. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 177, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
1/9. l he skate ot claim 1 (8, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
180. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 179, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,

styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
181. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 180, wherein the second material is

bonded to the synthetic first material.
182. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 181, wherein the second material is
overmolded onto synthetic first material.
61
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

183. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 182, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
184. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 182, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
io
185. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 182, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
186. l he skate ot any one ot claims 153 to 182, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
187. The skate of claim 186, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
188. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 187, wherein a first part of the
toe cap
is stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
62
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

189. The skate of claim 188, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of
the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
190. The skate of claim 188, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for
io facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end
portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
191. The skate of any one of claims 188 to 190, wherein the first part of the
toe
cap is thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
192. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 191, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
193. The skate of claim 192, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
194. The skate of claim 192, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
195. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 194, wherein the ankle portion of
the
outer shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the
ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge for facing a lateral
side of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge of the
63
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

ankle portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of
the ankle portion of the outer shell.
196. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 195, wherein the blade holder
comprises a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach
and remove the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade
holder.
197. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 196, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
198. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 197, wherein an underside portion
of
the skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion
of the skate boot.
199. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 198, wherein a bottom of the medial

side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the
bottom ot the medial side portion ot the outer shell.
200. The skate of claim 199, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
201. The skate of any one of claims 153 to 200, wherein the support is affixed
to
the skate boot.
202. The skate of claim 201, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via
a fastener.
203. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
64
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

a. a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot
com prising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the foot
of
the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the
hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side of the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap defining a frontmost surface of the skate above the blade
holder for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap
o being affixed to the outer shell; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot;
b. a blade for contacting ice; and
c. a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade; wherein a bottom of
the
lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling
covering
the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell;
wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material and
(11) an overlay affixed to an outer surtace ot the body and defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the
overlay
comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic first material;
wherein at least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side
portion
and the lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion
for
protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion;
and
wherein a ratio of a modulus of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a
modulus
of elasticity of the non-reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least
1.1.
204. The skate of claim 203, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 1400 .
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

205. The skate of claim 203, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 145 .
206. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 205, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 mm.
207. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 206, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
io 208. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 207, wherein the reinforced
portion of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell.
209. The skate of claim 208, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell
comprises a lower region ot the lateral side portion ot the outer shell.
210. The skate of claim 208, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell
comprises at least part ot the medial side portion ot the outer shell.
211. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 207, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the heel portion of the outer
shell.
212. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 207, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell.
213. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 212, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.10.
66
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

214. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 212, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.15.
215. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 212, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
of the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.20.
216. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 212, wherein the ratio of the
thickness
1 o of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of
the outer shell is at least 1.25.
217. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 216, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
218. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 216, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity ot the reinforced portion over a modulus ot elasticity ot the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
219. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 218, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side

portion of the outer shell.
220. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 218, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a

second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
67
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

221. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 218, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
222. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 221, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
223. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 221, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of

the outer shell.
224. The skate of claim 223, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
225. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 221, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
226. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 225, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
227. The skate of claim 226, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is

thermoformed material.
228. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 227, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
68
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

229. The skate of claim 228, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
230. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 229, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,
styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
231. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 230, wherein the second material is
bonded to the synthetic first material.
io
232. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 231, wherein the second material is

overmolded onto synthetic first material.
233. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 232, wherein a thickness of the
second
material ot the outer shell is different trom a thickness ot the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
234. l he skate ot any one ot claims 203 to 232, wherein: the toe cap
comprises a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
235. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 232, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
69
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

236. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 232, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
237. The skate of claim 236, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
to
238. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 237, wherein a first part of the
toe cap
is stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
239. The skate of claim 238, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
tor facing a small toe ot the toot ot the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of
the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part ot the toe cap comprises at least part ot the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
240. The skate of claim 239, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for

facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
241. The skate of any one of claims 240 to 240, wherein the first part of the
toe
cap is thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

242. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 241, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
243. The skate of claim 242, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
244. The skate of claim 242, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
to 245. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 244, wherein the ankle
portion of the
outer shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the
ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge for facing a lateral
side of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge of the
ankle portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of
the ankle portion ot the outer shell.
246. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 245, wherein the blade holder
comprises a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach
and remove the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade
holder.
247. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 246, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
248. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 247, wherein an underside portion
of
the skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion
of the skate boot.
249. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 248, wherein a bottom of the medial
side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the
bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
71
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

250. The skate of claim 249, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottorn of the heel portion of the

outer shell.
251. The skate of any one of claims 203 to 250, wherein the support is affixed
to
the skate boot.
252. The skate of claim 251, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via
a fastener.
253. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
- a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the skate
boot
comprising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion tor receiving a heel ot the toot
ot
the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the
hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side of the
toot ot the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion tor facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap defining a frontmost surface of the skate above the blade
holder for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap
being affixed to the outer shell; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot;
- a blade for contacting ice; and
- a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade;
a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell being exposed without
any
cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell;
the skate boot having at least one reinforced portion configured for
protecting the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper against impact of a hockey puck during play; and

wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material and
72
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

(ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body and defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the
overlay
comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic first material.
254. The skate of claim 253, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 1400 .
255. The skate of claim 253, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the
ice of at least 145 .
256. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 255, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 mm.
257. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 255, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
258. l he skate ot any one ot claims 253 to 25/, wherein the reinforced
portion ot
the outer shell comprises at least portion of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell.
259. The skate of claim 259, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell

comprises a lower region of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
260. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 257, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least portion of the medial side portion of the
outer shell.
261. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 257, wherein the reinforced portion
of
the outer shell comprises at least portion of the heel portion of the outer
shell.
73
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

262. The skate of claim 261, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell

comprises at least portion of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
263. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 262, wherein the outer shell also
comprises a non-reinforced portion.
264. The skate of claim 263, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
portion
over a thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least
1.15.
to
265. The skate of claim 263, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
portion
over a thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least
1.20.
266. l he skate ot claim 263, wherein a ratio ot a thickness ot the reintorced
portion
over a thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least
1.25.
267. The skate of any one of claims claim 263 to 266, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
268. The skate of any one of claims claim 263 to 266, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
269. The skate of any one of claims claim 263 to 266, wherein a ratio of a
modulus
of elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the
non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
74
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

270. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 269, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side

portion of the outer shell.
271. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 269, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a

second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
to 272. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 269, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
273. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 272, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
2/4. l he skate ot any one ot claims 253 to 2/2, wherein a modulus ot
elasticity ot
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of

the outer shell.
275. The skate of claim 274, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
276. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 272, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

277. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 276, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
278. The skate of claim 277, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is
thermoformed material.
279. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 278, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
280. The skate of claim 279, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
281. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 280, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,
styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
282. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 281, wherein the second material is

bonded to the synthetic tirst material.
283. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 282, wherein the second material is

overmolded onto synthetic first material.
284. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 283, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
285. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 284, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
76
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-03-09

286. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 284, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
287. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 284, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
io lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
288. The skate of claim 287, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
289. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 288, wherein a first part of the
toe cap
is stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
290. The skate of claim 289, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side
for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of
the
toe cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
and
the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side
portion of the toe cap.
291. The skate of claim 290, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion
for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for
facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
77
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
292. The skate of any one of claims 289 to 291, wherein the first part of the
toe
cap is thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
293. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 292, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
294. The skate of claim 293, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
295. The skate of claim 293, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
296. l he skate ot any one ot claims 253 to 295, wherein a ratio ot a height
ot the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
297. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 296, wherein an underside portion
of
the skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion
of the skate boot.
298. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 297, wherein a bottom of the medial

side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the
bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
299. The skate of claim 298, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell
is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
78
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-09

300. The skate of any one of claims 253 to 299, wherein the support is affixed
to the
skate boot.
301. The skate of claim 300, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via a
fastener.
302. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
- a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a blade for contacting ice; and
1 o - a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade;
the skate boot comprising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the foot
of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of
the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side
of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for
facing a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap defining a frontmost surface of the skate above the blade
holder for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot;
wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed
without any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell;
wherein at least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side
portion and the lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced
portion for protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-
reinforced portion; and
wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material
and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body, defining an outer
surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the outer shell and
defining
79
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

the reinforced portion, the overlay comprising a second material, the second
material being less rigid than the synthetic first material.
303. The skate of claim 302, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 140 .
304. The skate of claim 302, wherein the skate allows an angle of attack with
the ice
of at least 145 .
io 305. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 mm.
306. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
307. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 306, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side

portion of the outer shell.
308. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 306, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a

second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
309. The skate of claim 308, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer in the height-wise direction of the skate.
310. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 306, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

311. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
312. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of
the outer shell.
313. The skate of claim 312, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
314. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
315. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 304, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
316. The skate of claim 315, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is

thermoformed material.
317. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 315, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
318. The skate of claim 317, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
81
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-12-30

319. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 318, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,

styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
320. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 319, wherein the second material is

bonded to the synthetic first material.
321. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 320, wherein the second material is
overmolded onto synthetic first material.
io
322. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 321, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
323. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 322, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
324. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 322, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
325. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 322, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
82
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
326. The skate of claim 325, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
327. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 326, wherein a first part of the
toe cap is
stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
io
328. The skate of claim 327, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion for
facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side for
facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of the
toe
cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap; and
the
second part of the toe cap comprIses at least part of the methal stde portIon
of
the toe cap.
329. The skate of claim 327, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion for
facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for
facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
330. The skate of any one of claims 327 to 329, wherein the first part of the
toe cap
is thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
331. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 330, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
reinforcement.
83
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

332. The skate of claim 331, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
333. The skate of claim 331, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
334. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 330, wherein the ankle portion of
the
outer shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the
ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge for facing a lateral
io side of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge
of the
ankle portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of
the ankle portion of the outer shell.
335. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 334, wherein the blade holder
comprises
a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach and remove
the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade holder.
336. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 335, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
337. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 336, wherein an underside portion
of the
skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion of
the skate boot.
338. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 337, wherein a bottom of the medial
side
portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
339. The skate of claim 338, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell is
exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
84
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

340. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 339, wherein the reinforced portion
of the
outer shell includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer
shell.
341. The skate of claim 340, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell

includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell and the
bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
342. The skate of claim 341, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell
1 o includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell,
the bottom of
the medial side portion of the outer shell, and the bottom of the heel portion
of
the outer shell.
343. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 342, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.15.
344. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 342, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the
outer shell is at least 1.20.
345. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 342, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.25.
346. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 345, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

347. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 345, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
348. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 345, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
349. The skate of any one of claims 302 to 348, wherein the blade holder
comprises
to a support connected to the skate boot.
350. The skate of claim 349, wherein the support is affixed to the skate boot.
351. The skate of claim 350, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via a
fastener.
352. A skate for a hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising:
- a skate boot for receiving a foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a blade for contacting ice; and
- a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade;
the skate boot comprising:
- an outer shell including a heel portion for receiving a heel of the foot
of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of
the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a medial side
of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion for
facing a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper;
- a toe cap defining a frontmost surface of the skate above the blade
holder for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; and
- a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the
skate boot;
86
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed
without any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell;
wherein at least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side
portion and the lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced
portion for protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-
reinforced portion; and
wherein the outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first
material
and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of the body and defining the
1 o reinforced portion, the overlay comprising a second material, the
second
material being less rigid than the synthetic first material.
353. The skate of claim 352, wherein the toe cap is affixed to the outer
shell.
354. The skate of any one of claims 352 and 353, wherein the skate allows an
angle
of attack with the ice of at least 1400

.
355. The skate of any one of claims 352 and 353, wherein the skate allows an
angle
of attack with the ice of at least 145 .
356. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 70 mm.
357. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein a support height of
the
skate is at least 75 mm.
358. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 357, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side

portion of the outer shell.
87
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

359. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 357, wherein a thickness of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell varies such that the thickness of a first area
of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than the thickness of a

second area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
360. The skate of claim 359, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer in the height-wise direction of the skate.
io 361. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 357, wherein a thickness of the
heel
portion of the outer shell is greater than a thickness of the medial side
portion
of the outer shell.
362. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of
elasticity
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
363. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell varies such that the modulus of
elasticity of a first area of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
greater
than the modulus of elasticity of a second area of the lateral side portion of

the outer shell.
364. The skate of claim 363, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
outer shell is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell in the height-wise direction of the skate.
365. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein a modulus of
elasticity of
the heel portion of the outer shell is greater than a modulus of elasticity of
the
medial side portion of the outer shell.
88
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

366. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 355, wherein the synthetic first
material
of the outer shell is molded material.
367. The skate of claim 366, wherein the molded material of the outer shell is
thermoformed material.
368. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 366, wherein the synthetic first
material
comprises a composite material.
369. The skate of claim 368, wherein the composite material comprises fibers
in a
polymeric matrix.
370. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 369, wherein the second material
comprises at least one of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride,
styrene-butadiene copolymer, and ionomer resin.
371. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 370, wherein the second material is

bonded to the synthetic first material.
372. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 371, wherein the second material is

overmolded onto synthetic first material.
373. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 372, wherein a thickness of the
second
material of the outer shell is different from a thickness of the synthetic
first
material of the outer shell.
374. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 373, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper
and a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
89
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2021-12-30

375. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 373, wherein: the toe cap comprises
a
lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
a medial side portion for facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and an end portion between the lateral side portion and the medial side
portion of the toe cap; and a thickness of the end portion of the toe cap is
greater than a thickness of the medial side portion of the toe cap.
376. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 373, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
io lateral side portion for facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper,
and a thickness of the lateral side portion of the toe cap varies such that
the
thickness of a first area of the lateral side portion of the toe cap is
greater
than the thickness of a second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap.
377. The skate of claim 376, wherein the first area of the lateral side
portion of the
toe cap is lower than the second area of the lateral side portion of the toe
cap
in the height-wise direction of the skate.
378. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 377, wherein a first part of the
toe cap is
stiffer than a second part of the toe cap.
379. The skate of claim 378, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion for
facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a medial side for
facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; the first part of the
toe
cap comprises at least part of the lateral side portion of the toe cap; and
the
second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial side portion
of
the toe cap.
380. The skate of claim 378, wherein: the toe cap comprises a lateral side
portion for
facing a small toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side for
facing a big toe of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and an end portion
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

between the lateral side portion and the medial side portion of the toe cap;
the
first part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the end portion of the
toe
cap; and the second part of the toe cap comprises at least part of the medial
side portion of the toe cap.
381. The skate of any one of claims 26 to 380, wherein the first part of the
toe cap is
thicker than the second part of the toe cap.
382. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 381, wherein the toe cap comprises
a
io reinforcement.
383. The skate of claim 382, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
projection.
384. The skate of claim 382, wherein the reinforcement of the toe cap
comprises a
plurality of reinforcing elements distributed on the toe cap.
385. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 384, wherein the ankle portion of
the
outer shell comprises a medial upper edge for facing a medial side of the
ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lateral upper edge for facing a lateral
side of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, and the lateral upper edge of the
ankle portion of the outer shell extends lower than the medial upper edge of
the ankle portion of the outer shell.
386. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 385, wherein the blade holder
comprises
a blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach and remove
the blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade holder.
387. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 386, wherein a ratio of a height of
the
skate boot over a length of the skate boot is no more than 0.8.
91
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

388. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 388, wherein an underside portion
of the
skate boot is exposed without any cowling covering the underside portion of
the skate boot.
389. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 388, wherein a bottom of the medial
side
portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom
of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
390. The skate of claim 389, wherein a bottom of the heel portion of the outer
shell is
io
exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the heel portion of the
outer shell.
391. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 390, wherein the reinforced portion
of the
outer shell includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer
shell.
392. The skate of claim 391, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell

includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell and the
bottom of the medial side portion of the outer shell.
393. The skate of claim 392, wherein the reinforced portion of the outer shell

includes the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, the bottom
of
the medial side portion of the outer shell, and the bottom of the heel portion
of
the outer shell.
394. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 393, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.15.
395. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 393, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the
outer shell is at least 1.20.
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396. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 393, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of
the reinforced portion over the thickness of the non-reinforced portion of the

outer shell is at least 1.25.
397. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 396, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.1.
to 398. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 396, wherein a ratio of a
modulus of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 1.5.
399. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 396, wherein a ratio of a modulus
of
elasticity of the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-
reinforced portion of the outer shell is at least 2.
400. The skate of any one of claims 352 to 399, wherein the blade holder
comprises
a support connected to the skate boot.
401. The skate of claim 400, wherein the support is affixed to the skate boot.
402. The skate of claim 401, wherein the support is fastened to the skate boot
via a
fastener.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

Description

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
SKATE FOR A HOCKEY GOALKEEPER
FIELD
The invention generally relates to equipment for hockey goalkeepers and, more
particularly, to skates for hockey goalkeepers.
BACKGROUND
Hockey goalkeepers (a.k.a. goalies) defend their team's goal in a hockey game.
To
that end, a hockey goalie wears various equipment, including goalie skates to
move
on a playing surface (e.g., ice), leg pads to protect his/her legs when used
to stop a
puck or ball and/or when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto the playing
surface, and
a blocker and a catcher to stop the puck or ball with his/her arms and hands
A goalie skate typically comprises a skate boot for receiving a goalie's foot
and a
cowling that covers toe, heel, lower medial, and lower lateral areas of the
skate boot.
The cowling is a hard cover that extends over the toe, heel, lower medial, and
lower
lateral areas of the skate boot for added protection in those areas. The
cowling also
carries a blade or set of inline wheels of the skate that engages the playing
surface.
While the cowling imparts impact protection to the goalie skate, it may
detrimentally
affect other characteristics of the skate. For instance, a maximal angle of
attack of
the goalie skate with the playing surface may be limited by the cowling as a
medial
side of the cowling will contact the playing surface first when the goalie
skate is
inclined. This can in turn affect how fast and how hard the goalie can push
off the
playing surface during play.
For these and/or other reasons, there is a need to improve skates for hockey
goalies.
1

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
SUMMARY
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a goalie
skate for a
hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, a blade for contacting ice, and a blade holder between
the
skate boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises an outer shell comprising a

synthetic material. The goalie skate is cowlingless.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a goalie
skate
for a hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate comprises a skate boot for receiving
a
foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises an outer shell
comprising a
synthetic material. The outer shell comprises a lateral side portion for
facing a lateral
side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing a
medial
side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a heel portion for facing a
heel of the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate further comprises a blade for
contacting ice and a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade. A
bottom
region of the lateral side portion of the outer shell, a bottom region of the
medial side
portion of the outer shell, and a bottom region of the heel portion of the
outer shell
are exposed.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a goalie
skate
for a hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate comprises a skate boot for receiving
a
foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises an outer shell
comprising a
synthetic material. The goalie skate further comprises a blade for contacting
ice and
a blade holder between the skate boot and the blade. The blade holder
comprises a
blade-detachment mechanism configured to selectively detach and remove the
blade from the blade holder and attach the blade to the blade holder. The
blade-
detachment mechanism comprises an actuator manually operable to detach and
remove the blade from the blade holder.
2

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a goalie
skate
for a hockey goalkeeper. The goalie skate comprises a skate boot for receiving
a
foot of the hockey goalkeeper, a skating device for contacting a playing
surface, and
a holder between the skate boot and the skating device. The skate boot
comprises
an outer shell comprising a synthetic material. The goalie skate is
cowlingless.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion
for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion
for
receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side ot the toot ot the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap defining a
trontmost
surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper, the toe cap being affixed to the outer shell; and a tongue
connected to
the toe cap and defining a highest point ot the skate boot; wherein the outer
shell
comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay
affixed to
an outer surface of the body and defining an outer surface of at least part of
the
lateral side portion of the outer shell, the overlay comprising a second
material, the
second material being less rigid than the synthetic first material; wherein a
bottom of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling
covering the
bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell. At least one of the
heel portion,
the ankle portion, the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the
outer
shell comprises a reinforced portion for protecting the goalkeeper from pucks
during
play and a non-reinforced portion. A ratio of a thickness of the reinforced
portion
over a thickness of the non- reinforced portion is at least 1.1.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-07

hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell, the outer shell
comprising a lateral side portion for facing a lateral side of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper, a medial side for facing a medial side of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper, a heel portion for facing a heel of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper, and
an ankle portion for receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap
affixed to
the outer shell for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; and a
tongue
connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot; the
skate
boot being free of a tendon guard projecting upwardly from the ankle portion
of the
outer shell. The skate comprises: a blade for contacting ice; and a blade
holder
to between the skate boot and the blade, the blade holder comprising a support

connected to the skate boot. The outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a
synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of
the body and
defining an outer surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell,
the overlay comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid
than
the synthetic first material; wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of
the outer
shell is exposed without any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side
portion of
the outer shell.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle
portion for
receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap affixed to the
outer shell
for facing toes of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; and a tongue connected
to the
toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot; the skate boot having
an
upper edge, the tongue having an upper edge that is part of the upper edge of
the
skate boot, a rear of the ankle portion of the outer shell being configured to
face at
least one of a rear of the ankle of the hockey goalkeeper and a lower part of
an
Achilles tendon of the hockey goalkeeper and having an upper edge that is part
of
3a
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-07

the upper edge of the skate boot and lower than the upper edge of the tongue
in a
height-wise direction of the skate when the skate is worn. The skate
comprises: a
blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the skate boot and the
blade,
the blade holder comprising a blade-detachment mechanism configured to
selectively detach and remove the blade from the blade holder and attach the
blade
to the blade holder, the blade-detachment mechanism comprising an actuator
manually operable to detach and remove the blade from the blade holder, the
blade
holder comprising a support connected to the skate boot. The outer shell
comprises
(i) a body made of a synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay affixed to
an outer
surface of the body and defining an outer surface of at least part of the
lateral side
portion of the outer shell, the overlay comprising a second material, the
second
material being less rigid than the synthetic first material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot comprising an outer shell including a heel
portion
for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion
for
receiving an ankle ot the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion tor tacing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting
ice; and a
blade holder between the skate boot and the blade, the blade holder comprising
a
support connected to the skate boot. The outer shell comprises (i) a body made
of a
synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of
the body and
defining an outer surface of at least part of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell,
the overlay comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid
than
the synthetic first material; wherein the blade comprises an ice-contacting
surface,
the ice-contacting surface comprises a flat portion, and a ratio of a length
of the flat
portion of the ice-contacting surface over a length of the blade is at least
0.7. A
bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any
cowling
covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell. At least
one of the
heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side portion and the lateral side
portion of
3b
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-07

the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion for protecting the goalkeeper
from
pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion. A ratio of a thickness of the
reinforced portion over a thickness of the non-reinforced portion is at least
1.1.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle
portion for
receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap defining a
frontmost
surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper, the toe cap being affixed to the outer shell; and a tongue
connected to
the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot. The skate
comprises: a
blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the skate boot and the
blade;
wherein a bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed
without any
cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell.
The outer
shell comprises (i) a body made ot a synthetic first material and (ii) an
overlay affixed
to an outer surface of the body and defining an outer surface of at least part
of the
lateral side portion of the outer shell, the overlay comprising a second
material, the
second material being less rigid than the synthetic first material. At least
one of the
heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side portion and the lateral side
portion of
the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion for protecting the goalkeeper
from
pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion. A ratio of a modulus of
elasticity of
the reinforced portion over a modulus of elasticity of the non-reinforced
portion of the
outer shell is at least 1.1.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle
portion for
3c
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-07

receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap defining a
frontmost
surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper, the toe cap being affixed to the outer shell; and a tongue
connected to
the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot. The skate
comprises: a
blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the skate boot and the
blade. A
bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any
cowling
covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell. The skate
boot has
at least one reinforced portion configured for protecting the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper against impact of a hockey puck during play; and wherein the outer
shell
comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay
affixed to
an outer surface of the body and defining an outer surface of at least part of
the
lateral side portion of the outer shell, the overlay comprising a second
material, the
second material being less rigid than the synthetic first material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. I he skate comprises: a skate boot tor receiving a toot ot
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell; a toe cap
defining a
trontmost surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap being distinct from the outer shell; and a
tongue
connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot. The
skate is
devoid of any cowling covering the toe cap. The toe cap comprises at least two
synthetic materials of different stiffnesses.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper. The skate boot comprises: a lateral side portion, for
facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a medial side portion, for
facing a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a heel portion, for facing a
heel of
3d
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-07

the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; an ankle portion, for receiving an ankle of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a toe portion, for facing toes of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point
of
the skate boot. The skate comprises: a blade for contacting ice; and a blade
holder
between the skate boot and the blade. An outermost surface of the skate in the
heel
portion comprises a first synthetic material and the outermost surface of the
skate in
the toe portion comprises a second synthetic material different from the first

synthetic material. The first synthetic material is a polymer.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell; a toe cap
defining a
frontmost surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap being distinct from the outer shell; and a
tongue
connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot. The
skate is
devoid of any cowling covering the toe cap. The toe cap comprises a first part
and a
second part, the first part being more likely to be impacted by a puck during
play
than the second part, the first part being reinforced such that the first part
is
structurally stiffer than the second part.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade; the skate boot comprising: an outer shell; a toe cap
defining a
frontmost surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap being distinct from the outer shell; and a
tongue
connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot;
wherein the
skate is devoid of any cowling covering the toe cap; and wherein the toe cap
comprises at least two synthetic materials of different stiffnesses.
3e
Date recue / Date received 2021-11-29

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot comprising: a lateral side portion, for
facing a
lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a medial side portion, for
facing a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a heel portion, for facing a
heel of
the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; an ankle portion, for receiving an ankle of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a toe portion, for facing toes of the foot of the hockey
goalkeeper; and a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point
of
the skate boot; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate boot
and the blade; wherein an outermost surface of the skate in the heel portion
comprises a first synthetic material and the outermost surface of the skate in
the toe
portion comprises a second synthetic material different from the first
synthetic
material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper, the skate comprising: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade; the skate boot comprising: an outer shell; a toe cap
defining a
frontmost surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, the toe cap being distinct from the outer shell; and a
tongue
connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot;
wherein the
skate is devoid of any cowling covering the toe cap; wherein the toe cap
comprises a
first part and a second part, the first part being more likely to be impacted
by a puck
during play than the second part, the first part being reinforced such that
the first part
is structurally stiffer than the second part.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion
for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion
for
3f
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap defining a
frontmost
surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper; and a tongue connected to the toe cap and defining a highest point
of
the skate boot. A bottom of the lateral side portion of the outer shell is
exposed
without any cowling covering the bottom of the lateral side portion of the
outer shell.
At least one of the heel portion, the ankle portion, the medial side portion
and the
lateral side portion of the outer shell comprises a reinforced portion for
protecting the
goalkeeper from pucks during play and a non-reinforced portion. The outer
shell
comprises (i) a body made of a synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay
affixed to
an outer surface of the body, defining an outer surface of at least part of
the lateral
side portion of the outer shell and defining the reinforced portion, the
overlay
comprising a second material, the second material being less rigid than the
synthetic
first material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skate
for a
hockey goalkeeper. The skate comprises: a skate boot for receiving a foot of
the
hockey goalkeeper; a blade for contacting ice; and a blade holder between the
skate
boot and the blade. The skate boot comprises: an outer shell including a heel
portion
for receiving a heel of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, an ankle portion
for
receiving an ankle of the hockey goalkeeper, a medial side portion for facing
a
medial side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a lateral side portion
for facing
a lateral side of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper; a toe cap defining a
frontmost
surface of the skate above the blade holder for facing toes of the foot of the
hockey
goalkeeper, the toe cap being affixed to the outer shell; and a tongue
connected to
the toe cap and defining a highest point of the skate boot. A bottom of the
lateral
side portion of the outer shell is exposed without any cowling covering the
bottom of
the lateral side portion of the outer shell. At least one of the heel portion,
the ankle
portion, the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the outer
shell
comprises a reinforced portion for protecting the goalkeeper from pucks during
play
3g
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

and a non-reinforced portion. The outer shell comprises (i) a body made of a
synthetic first material and (ii) an overlay affixed to an outer surface of
the body and
defining the reinforced portion, the overlay comprising a second material, the
second
material being less rigid than the synthetic first material.
These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of
embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by
way of
example only, with reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:
Figure 1 is an example of a hockey goalkeeper (i.e., goalie) wearing a goalie
skate in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 show perspective views of the goalie skate;
Figures 4 to 6 show a side view, a rear view and a top view of the goalie
skate;
Figures 7 and 8 show lateral and medial side views of a typical goalie skate
comprising
a cowling;
Figure 9 shows a rear view of the goalie skate when the goalie skate engages a
playing surface at a maximal attack angle;
Figure 10 shows a side view of a skate boot of the goalie skate;
Figure 11 shows an exploded view of the skate boot of the goalie skate,
including an
3h
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-12-30

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
outer shell, a tongue, a toe cap, and an inner lining of the skate boot;
Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the outer shell of the skate boot
including a
body and an overlay of the outer shell;
Figure 13 shows a closeup view of part of a lateral side portion of the outer
shell
including the overlay;
Figures 14A and 14B show a cross-sectional view of the outer shell taken along
lines
14A-14A and 14B-14B respectively, as indicated in Figure 13;
Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a heel portion of the outer shell;
Figures 16 and 17 show perspective views of the toe cap of the skate boot;
Figure 18 shows a side view of the toe cap;
Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe cap taken along line 19-19
as
indicated in Figure 18;
Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe cap where the toe cap
comprises
areas of increased thickness;
Figures 21 to 23 show a reinforcement of the toe cap in accordance with
various
embodiments;
Figures 24 and 25 show a perspective view and an exploded of the tongue of the
skate
boot;
Figure 26 shows a blade and a blade holder of the goalie skate;
4

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
Figures 27 and 28 show a top view and a bottom view of the blade holder,
including a
blade-detachment mechanism;
Figure 29 shows a side view of the blade;
Figures 30 to 33 show variants in which the blade is permanently affixed to
the blade
holder;
Figures 34 and 35 show a side view and front view of the blade in accordance
with a
variant in which in the blade comprises a runner and a body;
Figure 36 shows a three-point bending test being performed on a part of the
outer shell
of the skate boot to determine a stiffness of the outer shell;
Figure 37 shows a perspective view of a portion of the outer shell, including
its lateral
and medial side portions, in accordance with a variant in which a first area
of the lateral
side portion is stiffer than a second area of the lateral side portion;
Figure 38 shows a perspective view of a heel portion of the outer shell in
accordance
with a variant in which a first area of the heel portion is stiffer than a
second area of the
heel portion;
Figure 39 shows a perspective view of the toe cap in accordance with a variant
in
which a first area of a lateral side portion of the toe cap is stiffer than a
second area of
the lateral side portion of the toe cap;
Figure 40 shows a perspective view of the toe cap in accordance with a variant
in
which the toe cap comprises a first synthetic material and a second synthetic
material;
Figure 41 shows a perspective view of the toe cap in accordance with a variant
in
which the toe cap comprises an overlay comprising the second synthetic
material;
5

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
Figures 42 and 43 are side and front views of a right foot of the goalie with
an
integument of the foot shown in dotted lines and bones shown in solid lines.
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example. It is
to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for
purposes of
illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended to be a
definition of
the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1 to 6 show an example of skates 101, 102 for a hockey goalkeeper 12
in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hockey goalkeeper 12, who
will
be referred to as a "goalie", defends his/her team's goal in a game of hockey
played on
a playing surface 14. The skates 101, 102 are worn by the goalie 12 to move on
the
playing surface 14 for goalkeeping. The goalie 12 also wears other equipment
for
goalkeeping, including, in this embodiment, leg pads 161, 162 to protect
his/her legs
when used to stop a projectile, i.e., a puck or ball, during play and/or when
moving
(e.g., dropping) them onto the playing surface 14, as well as a blocker 18 and
a catcher
20 to stop the puck or ball with his/her arms and hands. In this embodiment, a
type of
hockey played is ice hockey such that the playing surface 14 is ice and the
skates 101,
102 are goalie skates.
The skates 101, 102 are designed specifically for goalkeeping by the goalie
12, as
opposed to other skates for hockey players other than goalies (i.e., forwards
and
defensemen), and can thus be referred to as "goalie skates". Each skate lox
comprises a skate boot 22 for receiving a foot 11 of the goalie 12, a blade 26
for
contacting the ice 14, and a blade holder 24 between the skate boot 22 and the
blade
26. The skate 10x has a longitudinal direction, a widthwise direction, and a
height-wise
direction.
6

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
In this embodiment, the skate 10x is constructed to help enhance performance
of the
goalie 12, including, for example, by being lighter and facilitating pushing
(e.g., quicker
and harder pushes) against the ice 14, which may improve mobility on the ice
14. The
skate 10x also facilitates removal of the blade 26, such as to replace the
blade 26 with
another blade or to sharpen or perform another operation on the blade 26
before
installing it back into the skate 10..
Notably, in this embodiment, this is achieved by the skate 10õ being
cowlingless, i.e.,
being free of (i.e., without) any cowling (i.e., hard cover) covering a toe
area 31, a heel
area 33, a lower medial area 35, and a lower lateral area 37 of the skate boot
22. This
is in contrast to a conventional skate 510 for a hockey goalie, as shown in
Figures 7
and 8, which comprises a cowling 515 covering a toe area 531, a heel area 533,
a
lower medial area 535, and a lower lateral area 537 of a skate boot 522.
In addition to being cowlingless, in this embodiment, the skate 10x supports
the goalie's
foot 11 relatively high relative to the ice 14. A support height Hs of the
skate 10x, which
refers to a height from a bottom 50 of the blade 26 to a bottom 52 of the
skate boot 22,
may be relatively large. For example, in some embodiments, a ratio Hs/H of the
support height Hs of the skate 10. over an overall height H of the skate 10õ
may be at
least 0.25, in some cases 0.275, in some cases at least 0.30, in some cases at
least
0.325, in some cases at least 0.35, and in some cases even more. The ratio of
the
support height Hs of the skate 10x over the overall height H of the skate 10õ
may have
any other value in other embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the
support height Hs of the skate 10õ may be at least 70 mm, in some cases at
least 75
mm, in some cases at least 80 mm, in some cases at least 85 mm, and in some
cases
even more. The support height Hs of the skate 10õ may have any other value in
other
embodiments.
By being cowlingless, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the skate 10x
allows
an angle of attack OA with the ice 14 that can be larger (e.g., greater than
for
conventional hockey goalkeeper skates with cowlings). The angle of attack eA
of the
7

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
skate 10, with the ice 14 refers to an angle between the ice 14 and a plane 49
of the
blade 26 when the skate 10, is inclined relative to the ice 10 such that a
medial surface
of the skate 10, touches the ice 14. Allowing the angle of attack QA of the
skate 10x
with the ice 14 to be larger may help the goalie 12 to execute quicker and
harder
pushes against the ice 14. For example, in some embodiments, the angle of
attack OA
of the skate 10x with the ice 14 may be at least 1400, in some cases at least
142 , in
some cases at least 145 , in some cases at least 148 , in some cases at least
150 ,
and in some cases even more. The angle of attack eA of the skate 10, with the
ice 14
may have any other value in other embodiments.
The skate boot 22 defines a cavity 54 for receiving the goalie's foot 11. With
additional
reference to Figures 42 and 43, the goalie's foot 11 includes toes T, a ball
B, an arch
ARC, a plantar surface PS, a top surface TS, a medial side MS, and a lateral
side LS.
The top surface TS of the goalie's foot 11 is continuous with a lower portion
of a shin S
of the goalie 12. In addition, the goalie 12 has a heel HL, an Achilles tendon
AT, and
an ankle A having a medial malleolus MM and a lateral malleolus LM that is at
a lower
position than the medial malleolus MM. The Achilles tendon AT has an upper
part UP
and a lower part LP projecting outwardly with relation to the upper part UP
and merging
with the heel HL. A forefoot of the goalie 12 includes the toes T and the ball
6, a
hindfoot of the goalie includes the heel HL, and a midfoot of the goalie is
between the
forefoot and the hindfoot.
The skate boot 22 comprises a front portion 56 for receiving the toes T of the
goalie 12,
a rear portion 58 for receiving the heel HL and at least part of the Achilles
tendon AT
and the ankle A of the goalie 12, and an intermediate portion 60 between the
front
portion 56 and the rear portion 58.
As it is for goalkeeping, the skate boot 22 may be shorter than skate boots of

conventional skates for hockey players other than goalies. For example, in
some
embodiments, a ratio NB/LB of a height HB of the skate boot 22 over a length
LB of the
skate boot 22 may be no more than 0.8, in some cases no more than 0.775, in
some
8

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
cases no more than 0.75, in some cases no more than 0.725, and in some cases
even
less.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the skate boot 22 comprises an outer
shell 30, a
toe cap 32, a tongue 34, an inner lining 36, a footbed 38, an insole 40, and
an outsole
42. The skate boot 22 also comprises lace members 441, 442 and eyelets 461-46E

extending through (e.g., punched into) the lace members 441, 442, the outer
shell 30
and the inner lining 36 vis-à-vis apertures 48 in order to receive laces for
tying on the
skate 10. In some embodiments, the skate boot 22 may not comprise any lace
members and the eyelets 461-46E may extend directly through the outer shell 30
and
the inner lining 36 via the apertures 48.
The outer shell 30 imparts strength to the skate 10x to support the goalie's
foot 11.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the outer shell 30 comprises a heel
portion 62 for
receiving the heel HL of the goalie 12, an ankle portion 64 for receiving the
ankle A of
the goalie 12, and medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 for facing the
medial and
lateral sides MS, LS of the goalie's foot 11, respectively. The medial and
lateral side
portions 66, 68 include upper edges 70, 72 which connect to the lace members
441,
442. The heel portion 62 may be formed such that it is substantially cup-
shaped for
following the contour of the heel HL of the goalie 12. The ankle portion 64
comprises
medial and lateral ankle sides 74, 76. The medial ankle side 74 has a medial
depression 78 for receiving the medial malleolus MM of the goalie 12 and the
lateral
ankle side 76 has a lateral depression 80 for receiving the lateral malleolus
LM of the
goalie 12. The lateral depression 80 is located slightly lower than the medial

depression 78 for conforming to the morphology of the goalie's foot 11. The
ankle
portion 64 further comprises a rear portion 82 facing the lower part LP of the
Achilles
tendon AT of the goalie 12. In this example, the skate boot 22 is free of
(i.e., without) a
tendon guard affixed to the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 and
extending
upwardly therefrom as is conventionally found in skates for hockey players
other than
goalies.
9

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
In this embodiment, the lateral ankle side 76 of the ankle portion 64 extends
lower than
the medial ankle side 74 of the ankle portion 64 in the height-wise direction
of the skate
10x. More specifically, the ankle portion 64 comprises a medial upper edge 45
facing a
medial side of the ankle of the goalie's foot 11 and a lateral upper edge 47
facing a
lateral side of the ankle of the goalie's foot 11. The lateral upper edge 47
extends lower
than the medial upper edge 45 in the height-wise direction of the skate 10õ
such that
the medial upper edge 45 is higher than the lateral upper edge 47 by a
vertical offset
Dv. The lower lateral upper edge 47 may be helpful to relieve pressure on the
lateral
side LS of the goalie's foot 11 while allowing the goalie 12 to have a deeper
stance
(i.e., squat closer to the ice 14). Moreover, the higher medial upper edge 45
may
provide additional protection and support to the goalie's foot 11. For
example, the
vertical offset Dv of the lateral upper edge 47 and the medial upper edge 45
of the
ankle portion 64 may be at least 10 mm, in some cases at least 15 mm, in some
cases
at least 20 mm, and in some cases even more.
The vertical offset Dv may be significant relative to the overall height H of
the skate 10x.
For instance, a ratio Dv/H of the vertical offset Dv of the lateral upper edge
47 and the
medial upper edge 45 of the ankle portion 64 over the overall height H of the
skate 10x
may be at least 0.02, in some cases at least 0.04, in some cases at least
0.06, in some
cases at least 0.08, and in some cases even more.
As the skate 10x is cowlingless, in this embodiment, a bottom region 84 of the
lateral
side portion 68 of the outer shell 30, a bottom region 86 of the medial side
portion 66
of the outer shell 30, a bottom region 88 of the heel portion 62 of the outer
shell 30,
and a bottom region 90 of the toe cap 32 are exposed. This is in contrast to
the
conventional skate 510 for a hockey goalie, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, in
which
such bottom regions are covered by the cowling 515.
The outer shell 30 comprises a synthetic material 92 that makes up at least a
substantial part (i.e., a substantial part or an entirety) of the outer shell
30. In this
embodiment, the synthetic material 92 is a polymeric material. For example, in
some

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
embodiments, the polymeric material 92 may include polypropylene. In some
cases,
the polymeric material 92 may be a foam. For instance, in some cases, the
polymeric
material 92 may include an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam or any other
suitable
foam. The polymeric material 92 may include any other suitable polymer in
other
embodiments (e.g., nylon, polyester, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, an ionomer
resin (e.g.,
Surlyn0), styrene-butadiene copolymer (e.g., K-Resin ) etc.). In some examples
of
implementation, the polymeric material 92 may be a polymer-matrix composite
material
(e.g., in which fibers are embedded in a polymer matrix). For instance, in
some
embodiments, the polymeric material 92 may comprise a self-reinforced polymer
composite, such as self-reinforced polypropylene composite (e.g., Curv0). The
synthetic material 92 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other
embodiments (e.g., other types of polymers, other types of composite material,
etc.).
In this embodiment, the synthetic material 92 of the outer shell 30
constitutes at least
part of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, and the medial and lateral
side
portions 66, 68 of the outer shell 30. In some examples, the synthetic
material 92 of the
outer shell 30 may constitute at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an
entirety) of the
heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, and the medial and lateral side
portions 66, 68 of
the outer shell 30. In some embodiments, the synthetic material 92 of the
outer shell 30
may constitute a given part of the outer shell 30, while the outer shell 30
may comprise
one or more other synthetic materials, different from the synthetic material
92, that
constitute one or more other parts of the outer shell 30.
In this example of implementation, the synthetic material 92 of the outer
shell 30 is
molded material. That is, the synthetic material 92 of the outer shell 30 is
formed by a
molding process in a mold. A shape of the synthetic material 92 of the outer
shell 30 is
thus a molded shape imparted during the molding process. More particularly, in
this
example of implementation, the synthetic material 92 of the outer shell 30 is
thermoformed material. For instance, a sheet of the synthetic material 92 may
be
heated (e.g., in an oven) until it reaches a pliable forming temperature. The
sheet of
synthetic material 92 is then formed via a mold to have a shape of the outer
shell 30.
11

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
Once the synthetic material 92 has cooled and any excess material has been
trimmed,
the outer shell 30 is complete and ready for assembly with other components of
the
skate 10x. In other examples of implementation, the synthetic material 92 of
the outer
shell 30 may be molded in any other suitable way (i.e., injection molded).
The synthetic material 92 of the outer shell 30 may be relatively stiff. For
instance, a
stiffness of the synthetic material 92 of the outer shell 30 may be related to
a modulus
of elasticity (i.e., Young's modulus) of the synthetic material 92. For
example, in some
embodiments, the modulus of elasticity of the synthetic material 92 may be at
least 4
GPa, in some cases at least 4.5 GPa, in some cases at least 5 GPa, in some
cases at
least 5.5 GPa, and in some cases even more. The modulus of elasticity of the
synthetic
material 92 of the outer shell 30 may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments.
As the skate 10x is cowlingless, in this embodiment, the outer shell 30 is
reinforced
where exposed to impact with a puck during play. That is, in view of an
absence of a
cowling in the skate 10x, the outer shell 30 is reinforced in one or more
regions of the
outer shell 30 expected to be impacted by a puck during play in order to
properly
protect the goalie's foot 11. To that end, the outer shell 30 comprises a
reinforced part
94 exposed to impact with a puck during play. The reinforced part 94 of the
outer shell
is strengthened to take into account the absence of a cowling in the skate
10x. For
instance, the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30 may have a material
composition
(e.g., a stronger material or an additional material) and/or a shape (e.g., a
thicker area)
that makes that part of the outer shell 30 more protective. In this example of
25 implementation, the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30 does not
extend over an
entirety of the outer shell 30 such that the reinforced part 94, which may be
more likely
to be impacted by a puck during play, may provide more impact protection
(e.g., be
stronger and/or able to absorb more energy from impacts) than a non-reinforced
part
97 of the outer shell 30 that is outside of the reinforced part 94 and that
may be less
30 likely to be impacted by a puck during play.
12

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
In this embodiment, the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30 comprises at
least part
of the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the outer shell 30 and at
least part of
the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30. For instance, the reinforced part
94 comprises
the bottom region 84 of the lateral side portion 68, the bottom region 86 of
the medial
side portion 66, and the bottom region 88 of the heel portion 62 of the outer
shell 30.
For instance, in this embodiment, the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30
has a
thickness TR that is greater than a thickness TNR of the non-reinforced part
97 of the
outer shell 30. For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio TR/TNR of the
thickness
TR of the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30 over the thickness TNR of
the non-
reinforced part 97 of the outer shell 30 may be at least 1.1, in some cases at
least
1.15, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.25, and in some
cases
even more. This ratio may have any other suitable value in other embodiments.
For
example, in some embodiments, the thickness TR of the reinforced part 94 of
the
outer shell 30 may be at least 7 mm, in some cases at least 8 mm, in some
cases at
least 9 mm, in some cases at least 10 mm, in some cases at least 11 mm, and in

some cases even more. The thickness TR of the reinforced part 94 of the outer
shell
30 may have any other suitable value in other embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, a thickness of the lateral side portion 68
of the
outer shell 30 may be at least 7 mm, in some cases at least 8 mm, in some
cases at
least 9 mm, and in some cases even more. In some embodiments, the thickness of

the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be greater than a
thickness of
the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30. As another example, a
thickness of
the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 may be at least 7 mm, in some cases
at
least 8 mm, in some cases at least 9 mm, and in some cases even more. In some
embodiments, the thickness of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 may be

greater than the thickness of the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell
30.
In some embodiments, only limited extents of the lateral side portion 68, the
medial
side portion 66, and/or the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 may be
reinforced.
13

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
For example, in some embodiments, a thickness of the lateral side portion 68
may
vary. For instance, as shown in Figure 14B, a thickness of a first area 113 of
the
lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be greater than a thickness
of a
second area 117 of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30. The
first area
113 of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be lower than the
second
area 117 of the lateral side portion 68 in the height-wise direction of the
skate 10x.
For instance, a ratio of the thickness of the first area 113 of the lateral
side portion
68 over the thickness of the second area 117 of the lateral side portion 68
may be at
least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, and in some
cases
even more. For example, a thickness of the bottom region 84 of the lateral
side
portion 68 may be greater than a thickness of an upper region 87 of the
lateral side
portion 68 of the outer shell 30.
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 15, a thickness of
a
first area 119 of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 may be greater
than a
thickness of a second area 121 of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30.
The first
area 119 of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 may be lower than the
second
area 121 of the heel portion 62 in the height-wise direction of the skate 10x.
For
instance, a ratio of the thickness of the first area 119 of the heel portion
62 over the
thickness of the second area 121 of the heel portion 62 may be at least 1.1,
in some
cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, and in some cases even more.
For
example, a thickness of the bottom region 88 of the heel portion 62 may be
greater
than a thickness of an upper region 123 of the heel portion 62 of the outer
shell 30.
While in this embodiment the thickness TR of the reinforced part 94 of the
outer shell
is greater than the thickness TNR of the non-reinforced part 97 of the outer
shell
30, the thickness TR of the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30 is
comparatively
small in relation to a sum of thicknesses of the cowling 515 and an outer
shell 530 of
30 the skate boot 522 of the conventional goalie skate 510. In view of this
relatively
small thickness TR of the reinforced part 94, a "lower foot-facing width" Wg
of the
14

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
skate 10x may be smaller than a lower-foot-facing width of the conventional
goalie
skate 510. The lower-foot-facing width Wg of the skate 10x is a width of the
skate 10x
measured in a lower portion of the skate boot 22 that faces the lateral and
medial
sides LS, MS of the goalie's foot 11. For instance, the lower-foot-facing
width Wg of
the skate lox may be measured at a bottommost two-inch extent of the skate
boot
22. That is, the lower-foot-facing width Wg of the skate 10x is a maximal
width of the
skate 10x measured between the bottom 52 of the skate boot 22 and a point two
inches above the bottom 52 of the skate boot 22 in the height-wise direction
of the
skate 10x. For example, in some embodiments, for a North American size 8D
senior
goalie skate (i.e., a regular width size 8 senior goalie skate), the lower-
foot-facing
width INg of the skate 10x may be no more than 80 m, in some cases no more
than
70 mm, in some cases no more than 60 mm, and in some cases even less.
Moreover, regardless of a size designation of the skate 10x, in some
embodiments, a
ratio of the lower-foot-facing width Wg of the skate 10x over the overall
height H of
the skate 10x may be no more than 0.35, in some cases no more than 0.325, in
some cases no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.275, in some cases
no
more than 0.25, and in some cases even less.
In this embodiment, the outer shell 30 comprises a body 93 and an overlay 95
that
defines the reinforced part 94 of the outer shell 30. The overlay 95 is
affixed to an
outer surface of the body 93. In this example, the overlay 95 extends
continuously
along at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of a longitudinal
extent of the
outer shell 30. More particularly, in this embodiment, the overlay 95 extends
over the
bottom region 84 of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30, the
bottom
region 86 of the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30, and the bottom
region
88 of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30.
In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the overlay 95 is affixed
to the
body 93 of the outer shell 30 via a stitching 98. The overlay 95 may be
affixed to the
body 93 of the outer shell 30 in any other suitable way. For example, the
overlay 95
may be bonded (e.g., adhesively bonded), stapled, welded (e.g., ultrasonically

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
welded), or overmolded onto the body 93 of the outer shell 30. Moreover, in
this
embodiment, the overlay 95 extends below the body 93 such that a portion of
the
overlay 95 (i.e., a bottom portion) extends between the body 93 and the
outsole 42
of the skate boot 22. In other embodiments, the overlay 95 may not extend
below
the body 93 and may thus be affixed (e.g., via stitching) to the body 93 at a
bottom
portion of the overlay 95.
In this example of implementation, the overlay 95 comprises a plurality of
overlay
elements 1021-102v that make up the overlay 95. The overlay elements 1021-102v
are positioned such that the overlay 95 is continuous (i.e., has no gaps). In
other
embodiments, the overlay 95 may comprise a single overlay element extending
from
the medial side 66 to the lateral side 68 of the outer shell 30.
The overlay 95 comprises a synthetic material 104 for imparting protection to
the
goalie's foot 11. More particularly, in this embodiment, the synthetic
material 104 is
more compliant (i.e., elastically deformable) than the synthetic material 92
making up
the body 93 of the outer shell 30 such that the synthetic material 104 is
capable of
absorbing energy from impacts better than the synthetic material 92. To that
end, a
modulus of elasticity (i.e., Young's modulus) of the synthetic material 104
may be
smaller than the modulus of elasticity of the synthetic material 92. For
example, a ratio
of the modulus of the synthetic material 104 of the overlay 95 over the
modulus of the
synthetic material 92 of the body 93 may be no more than a certain value.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the synthetic material 104 of the overlay 95
has a
thickness To that is different from a thickness TB of the synthetic material
92 of the
body 93 of the outer shell 30. More particularly, in this embodiment, the
thickness To of
the synthetic material 104 of the overlay 95 is less than the thickness TB of
the
synthetic material 92 of the body 93. For instance, in some embodiments, a
ratio TO/TB
of the thickness To of the synthetic material 104 of the overlay 95 over the
thickness TB
of the synthetic material 92 of the body 93 may be no more than 0.25, in some
cases
no more than 0.2, in some cases no more than 0.15, and in some cases even
less.
16

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
The inner lining 36 is affixed to an inner surface of the outer shell 30 and
comprises an
inner surface 96 for facing the heel HL and medial and lateral sides MS, LS of
the
goalie's foot 11 and ankle A in use. The inner lining 36 may be made of a soft
material
.. (e.g., a fabric made of NYLON fibers or any other suitable fabric). The
footbed 38 is
mounted inside the outer shell 30 and comprises an upper surface 106 for
receiving
the plantar surface PS of the goalie's foot 11 and a wall 108 projecting
upwardly from
the upper surface 106 to partially cup the heel HL and extend up to a medial
line of the
goalie's foot 11. The insole 40 has an upper surface 25 for facing the plantar
surface
.. PS of the goalie's foot 11 and a lower surface 23 on which the outer shell
30 may be
affixed.
The toe cap 32 is configured to face and protect the toes T of the goalie's
foot 11. In
this example, the toe cap 32 is affixed to the inner surface of the outer
shell 30 at the
medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the outer shell 30 and extends
along a
longitudinal axis 110. The toe cap 32 comprises an outer surface 112 and an
inner
surface 114 opposite the outer surface 112. A thickness Tc of the toe cap 32
is
measured between the outer and inner surfaces 112, 114 of the toe cap 32. The
top
cap 32 comprises a bottom portion 116 for at least partially covering a front
portion of
.. the lower surface 23 of the insole 40, a lateral side portion 118 for
facing a small toe of
the foot 11 of the goalie 12, a medial side portion 120 for facing a big toe
of the foot 11
of the goalie 12, an end portion 122 between the lateral and medial side
portions 118,
120, an upper portion 124 for facing a top of the toes T of the goalie's foot
11, and a
top extension 126 for affixing the tongue 34 to the toe cap 32. The top
extension 126 of
the toe cap 32 may be affixed (e.g., glued and/or stitched) to a distal end
portion of the
tongue 34 in order to affix the tongue 34 to the toe cap 32.
The toe cap 32 comprises a synthetic material 105 that imparts stiffness to
the toe
cap 32. For instance, in various embodiments, the synthetic material 105 of
the toe
cap 32 may comprise nylon, polycarbonate materials (e.g., Lexan ),
polyurethane,
thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, reinforced thermoplastics, reinforced
17

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
thermosetting resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene
or any
other suitable material. In some cases, the synthetic material 105 of the toe
cap 140
may be a composite material comprising thermoset material, thermoplastic
material,
carbon fibers and/or fiberglass fibers. For example, the composite material
may be a
fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are
embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a
thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether,
polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material
(e.g.,
polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether
ketone,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate,
polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone,

polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid
thermosetting-
thermoplastic polymeric material. The fibers may be made of any suitable
material
such as carbon fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers,
glass
fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.
The synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may be relatively stiff. For
example, a
stiffness of the synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may be related to a
modulus
of elasticity (i.e., Young's modulus) of the synthetic material 105. For
example, in
this embodiment, the modulus of the synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32
may be
at least 0.5 GPa, in some cases at least 2 GPa, in some cases at least 3 GPa,
in
some cases at least 4 GPa, and in some cases even more.]
The modulus of elasticity of the synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may
have
any other suitable value in other embodiments.
As the skate 10x is cowlingless, in this embodiment, the toe cap 32 is
reinforced. That
is, in view of an absence of a cowling in the skate 10x, the toe cap 32 is
reinforced to
properly protect the goalie's toes. The toe cap 32 is thus strengthened to
take into
account the absence of a cowling in the skate 10x. For instance, the toe cap
32 may
have a material composition (e.g., a stronger material or an additional
material) and/or
18

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
a shape (e.g., a thicker area) that makes the toe cap 32 more protective.
In this embodiment, the toe cap 32 is reinforced via an increase of a
thickness Tc of the
toe cap 32. For instance, the thickness Tc of the toe cap 32 may be greater
than that of
a toe cap 532 of the conventional goalie skate 510. For example, in some
embodiments, the thickness Tc of the toe cap 32 may be at least 5 mm, in some
cases
at least 6 mm, in some cases at least 7 mm, and in some cases even more. The
thickness Tc of the toe cap 32 may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments.
Also, in this embodiment, the toe cap 32 comprises a reinforcement 132. In
this
example, the reinforcement 132 is disposed on the outer surface 112 of the toe
cap 32.
The reinforcement 132 may be provided on one or more of the lateral side
portion 118,
the medial side portion 120, the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of
the toe
cap 32.
In this example, the reinforcement 132 comprises a plurality of reinforcing
elements
1331-133G distributed on the toe cap 32. More particularly, in this
embodiment, each of
the reinforcements 1331-133G extends along a front-to-rear direction of the
toe cap 32
(i.e., generally along a direction of the longitudinal axis 110). In other
embodiments, the
reinforcements 1331-133G may extend in any other direction (e.g., a direction
transversal to the longitudinal axis 110). In this case, each of the
reinforcements 133i-
133G comprises a projection 134 projecting on the outer surface 112 of the toe
cap
132. For example, the projection 134 may be a rib, a ridge, or any other
suitable
projection. The reinforcements 1331-133G may form corrugations on the outer
surface
112 of the toe cap 32.
The reinforcement 132 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other
embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 22, each of
the
reinforcements 1331-133G may comprise a recess 136 on the outer surface 112 of
the
toe cap 32. For instance, the recess 136 may consist of a groove. As another
example,
19

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the reinforcement 132 may have a
single reinforcing element 133, such as a single projection 134.
The outsole 42 is affixed to an underside of the outer shell 30 for forming
the skate
boot 22. The outsole 42 comprises a rigid material for imparting rigidity to
the outsole
42. More particularly, in this embodiment, the rigid material of the outsole
42
comprises a composite material. For example, the composite material may be a
fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are
embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a
thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether,
polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material
(e.g.,
polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether ketone,
polyethylene
terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate,
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-
imide, self-
reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic
polymeric
material. The fibers may be made of any suitable material such as carbon
fibers,
polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic
fibers, etc.
In other embodiments, the rigid material may comprise any other suitable
material
(e.g., nylon, polycarbonate materials, polyurethane, thermoplastics,
thermosetting
resins, reinforced thermoplastics, reinforced thermosetting resins,
polyethylene,
polypropylene, high density polyethylene).
The tongue 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the toe cap 32 for
overlapping
the top surface TS of the goalie's foot 11. In this embodiment, with
additional
reference to Figures 24 and 25, the tongue 34 comprises a core 140 defining a
section of the tongue 34 with increased rigidity, a padding member 142 for
absorbing
impacts to the tongue 34, a peripheral member 144 for at least partially
defining a
periphery 145 of the tongue 34, and a cover member 146 configured to at least
partially define a front surface of the tongue 34. The tongue 34 defines a
lateral
portion 147 overlying a lateral portion of the goalie's foot 11 and a medial
portion
149 overlying a medial portion of the goalie's foot 11. The tongue 34 also
defines a

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
distal end portion 151 for affixing to the toe cap 32 (e.g., via stitching)
and a proximal
end portion 153 that is nearest to the goalie's shin S.
The core 140 comprises one or more materials suitable for providing additional
rigidity to the tongue 34. For instance, in this embodiment, the core 140
comprises a
padding reinforced with a rigid insert. The rigid insert of the core 140 may
comprise
any suitable material to provide additional rigidity to the tongue 34. For
example, the
rigid insert may comprise a plastic material (e.g., nylon) and/or a composite
material
(e.g., carbon fiber). The rigid insert may comprise any other suitable
material in other
embodiments.
The padding member 142 is configured to surround the core 140 and is affixed
thereto
(e.g., via stitching). The padding member 142 comprises a material 148
suitable for
absorbing impacts. For instance, in this embodiment, the material 148
comprises felt.
In other embodiments, the material1 48 of the padding member 142 may comprise
a
foam material, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, a laminate material
(e.g., foam
"sandwiched" between layers of textile) or any other suitable material. The
material 148
of the padding member 142 may be one of a plurality of materials of the
padding
member 142. For example, in some cases, the padding member 142 may comprise an
additional material (e.g., foam) that is layered on top of the material 148.
Moreover, in
this embodiment, the padding member 142 comprises a pair of padding elements
1501,
1502 that are affixed to one another to form the padding member 142. In this
example,
the padding elements 1501, 1502 are lateral and medial padding elements 1501,
1502.
The peripheral member 144 is affixed to the padding member 142 such as to
define
the periphery of the tongue 34. In this embodiment, the peripheral member 144
comprises a pair of peripheral elements 1521, 1522 that are affixed to one
another, and
to the padding member 142, to form the peripheral member 144. More
particularly, in
this embodiment, the peripheral elements 1521, 1522 are lateral and medial
peripheral
elements 1521, 1522.
21

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
The cover member 146 constitutes an esthetic appearance of the front surface
of the
tongue 32. As such, the cover member 146 may comprise a variety of decorative
features such as a textured surface (e.g., ridges, grooves, etc.), a trademark
or logo
stitched thereto or a section defining a different color. In some embodiments,
the
decorative features such as the logo may be printed or formed (e.g., embossed)
on the
cover member 146. In this embodiment, the cover member 146 comprises a
plurality of
cover elements 1561-156 that are affixed to one another (e.g., via stitching
or gluing) in
order to form the cover member 146. Moreover, in its assembled state, the
cover
member 146 defines an opening 154 for exposing the core 140.
In this embodiment, the tongue 34 is configured to be asymmetric. More
particularly,
the lateral and medial portions 147, 149 of the tongue 34 extend to different
heights
such that the proximal portion 153 of the tongue 34 is uneven in the height-
wise
direction of the skate 10.. Specifically, the medial portion 149 of the tongue
34 extends
higher than the lateral portion 149 of the tongue 34. To that end, the lateral
and medial
padding elements 1501, 1502 are shaped differently from one another and the
lateral
and medial peripheral elements 1521, 1522 are shaped differently from one
another.
Moreover, the cover member 146 is also configured such that its lateral
portion is
shaped differently from its medial portion. This asymmetric design of the
tongue 34
may provide additional padding at a pressure point of the tongue 34 and may
minimize
interference with the goalie's leg (e.g., in butterfly style).
The skate boot 22 may be constructed in any other suitable way in other
embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, various components of the
skate
boot 22 mentioned above may be configured differently or omitted and/or the
skate
boot 22 may comprise any other components that may be made of any other
suitable materials and/or using any other suitable processes.
With additional reference to Figures 26 to 28, the blade holder 24 comprises a
lower
portion 162 comprising a blade-retaining base 164 that retains the blade 26
and an
upper portion 166 comprising a support 168 that extends upwardly from the
blade-
22

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
retaining base 164 towards the skate boot 22 to interconnect the blade holder
24
and the skate boot 22. A front portion 170 of the blade holder 24 and a rear
portion
172 of the blade holder 24 define a longitudinal axis 174 of the blade holder
24. The
front portion 170 of the blade holder 24 includes a frontmost point 176 of the
blade
holder 24 and extends beneath and along the skater's forefoot in use, while
the rear
portion 172 of the blade holder 24 includes a rearmost point 178 of the blade
holder
24 and extends beneath and along the skater's hindfoot in use. An intermediate

portion 180 of the blade holder 24 is between the front and rear portion 170,
172 of
the blade holder 24 and extends beneath and along the skater's midfoot in use.
A
length L of the blade holder 24 can be measured from the frontmost point 176
to the
rearmost point 178. The blade holder 24 comprises a medial side 182 and a
lateral
side 184 that are opposite one another. The blade holder 24 has a longitudinal

direction (i.e., a direction generally parallel to its longitudinal axis 174)
and
transversal directions (i.e., directions transverse to its longitudinal axis
174),
including a widthwise direction (i.e., a lateral direction generally
perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis 174). The blade holder 24 also has a height direction normal
to its
longitudinal and widthwise directions.
The blade-retaining base 164 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the
blade
holder 24 and is configured to retain the blade 26 such that the blade 26
extends
along a bottom portion 186 of the blade-retaining base 164 to contact the ice
surface. To that end, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a blade-retention

portion 188 to face and retain the blade 26. In this embodiment, the blade-
retention
portion 188 comprises a recess 190 in which an upper portion of the blade 26
is
disposed.
The blade holder 24 can retain the blade 26 in any suitable way. In this
embodiment,
the blade holder 24 comprises a blade-detachment mechanism 192 such that the
blade 26 is selectively detachable and removable from, and attachable to, the
blade
holder 24 (e.g., when the blade 26 is worn out or otherwise needs to be
replaced or
removed from the blade holder 24). More particularly, in this embodiment, the
blade
23

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
26 includes a plurality of projections 194, 196. The blade-detachment
mechanism
192 includes an actuator 198 and a biasing element 200 which biases the
actuator
198 in a direction towards the front portion 170 of the blade holder 24. In
this
embodiment, the actuator 198 comprises a trigger. To attach the blade 26 to
the
blade holder 24, the front projection 194 is first positioned within a hollow
space 202
(e.g., a recess or hole) of the blade holder 24. The rear projection 196 can
then be
pushed upwardly into a hollow space 204 (e.g., a recess or hole) of the blade
holder
24, thereby causing the biasing element 200 to bend and the actuator 198 to
move
in a rearward direction. The rear projection 196 will eventually reach a
position which
will allow the biasing element 200 to force the actuator 198 towards the front
portion
170 of the blade holder 24, thereby locking the blade 26 in place. The blade
26 can
then be removed by pushing against a finger-actuating surface 206 of the
actuator
198 to release the rear projection 196 from the hollow space 204 of the blade
holder
24. Thus, in this embodiment, the blade-detachment mechanism 192 is free of
any
threaded fastener (e g., a screw or bolt) to be manipulated to detach and
remove the
blade 26 from the blade holder 24 or to attach the blade 26 to the blade
holder 24.
Further information on examples of implementation of the blade-detachment
mechanism 192 in some embodiments may be obtained from U.S. Patent 8,454,030
hereby incorporated by reference herein. The blade-detachment mechanism 192
may be configured in any other suitable way in other embodiments.
In this embodiment, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a plurality of
apertures
2081-2084 distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 24 and

extending from the medial side 182 to the lateral side 184 of the blade holder
24. In
this example, respective ones of the apertures 2081-2084 differ in size. The
apertures 2081-2084 may have any other suitable configuration, or may be
omitted,
in other embodiments.
The blade-retaining base 164 may be configured in any other suitable way in
other
embodiments.
24

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
The support 168 is configured for supporting the skate boot 22 above the blade-

retaining base 164 and transmit forces to and from the blade-retaining base
164
during skating. In this embodiment, the support 168 comprises a front pillar
210 and
a rear pillar 212 which extend upwardly from the blade-retaining base 164
towards
the skate boot 22. The front pillar 210 extends towards the front portion 56
of the
skate boot 22 and the rear pillar 212 extends towards the rear portion 58 of
the skate
boot 22. The blade-retaining base 164 extends from the front pillar 210 to the
rear
pillar 212. More particularly, in this embodiment, the blade-retaining base
164
comprises a bridge 214 interconnecting the front and rear pillars 84, 86
The support 168 and the skate boot 22 can be connected to one another in any
suitable way. In this embodiment, the support 168 is affixed to the skate boot
22.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the front and rear pillars 210, 212 are
fastened
to the skate boot 22 by fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts). In this
example, each
of the front and rear pillars 210, 212 comprises a flange 216 including a
plurality of
apertures 2181-218F to receive respective ones of the fasteners that fasten
the blade
holder 24 to the skate boot 22. The support 168 may be affixed to the skate
boot 22
in any other suitable manner in other embodiments (e.g., by an adhesive).
With additional reference to Figure 29, the blade 26 comprises an ice-
contacting
material 220 including an ice-contacting surface 222 for sliding on the ice
surface
while the goalie 12 skates. In this embodiment, the ice-contacting material
220 is a
metallic material (e.g., stainless steel). The ice-contacting material 220 may
be any
other suitable material in other embodiments. Also, in this embodiment, an
entirety
of the blade 26 is made of the ice-contacting material 220. The blade 26 has a

length LT measured from a frontmost point 215 to a rearmost point 217 of the
blade
26.
The ice-contacting surface 222 of the blade 26 comprises a flat portion 224
having a
length LF. The portion of the ice-contacting surface 222 that is not part of
the flat
portion 215 (i.e., on either side of the flat portion 125) diverges from the
ice (e.g., is

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
generally curved away from the ice). The length LF of the flat portion 224 is
significant relative to the length LT of the blade 26 as opposed to that of
blades of
other skates for hockey players other than goalies (i.e., forwards and
defensemen).
For instance, a ratio LF/LT of the length LF of the flat portion 224 of the
blade over the
length LT of the blade 26 may be at least 0.6, in some cases at least 0.65, in
some
cases at least 0.7, in some cases at least 0.75, in some cases at least 0.8,
in some
cases at least 0.85, and in some cases even more.
The blade 26 also has a width that is significant relative to a width of
blades of other
skates for hockey players other than goalies. For example, the width of the
blade 26
may be at least 3 mm, in some cases at least 4 mm, in some cases at least 5
mm,
and in some cases even more.
The blade holder 24 and the blade 26 may be designed to complementarily
decrease a weight of the skate 10x while simultaneously increasing its support
height
Hs. For instance, in this embodiment, the blade holder 24 has a relatively
large
height HH. That is, the height HH Of the blade holder 24 is significant in
comparison to
the blade holder of conventional goalie skates. For example, a ratio HH/Hs of
the
height HH of the blade holder 24 over the support height Hs of the skate 10x
may be
at least 0.7, in some cases at least 0.75, in some cases at least 0.8, in some
cases
at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9, and in some cases even more.
Simultaneously, the blade 26 may have a relatively small height H. That is, in
this
embodiment, the height Hp of the blade 26 is small in comparison to the blade
of
conventional goalie skates. For example, a ratio Hp/Hs of the height Hp of the
blade
26 over the support height Hs of the skate 10x may be at least 0.15, in some
cases
at least 0.2, in some cases at least 0.25, in some cases at least 0.3 and in
some
cases even more. Moreover, a ratio HH/Hp of the height HH of the blade holder
24
over the height Hp of the blade 26 may be at least 3, in some cases at least
3.5, in
some cases at least 4, and in some cases even more.
26

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
As the blade 26 is typically denser than the blade holder 24, the increased
height of
the blade holder 24 and the decreased height of the blade 26 may cause a
reduction
in the weight of the skate 10x. Moreover, the resulting increased support
height Hs
also may also allow an increase in the maximum angle of attack GA of the skate
10x.
The goalie skate 10, may be implemented in any other suitable way in other
embodiments.
For instance, in a variant, the blade holder 24 may retain the blade 26 in any
other
suitable way. For instance, instead of being selectively detachable and
removable
from and attachable to the blade holder 24, in other embodiments, the blade 26
may
be permanently affixed to the blade holder 24 (i.e., not intended to be
detached and
removed from the blade holder 24). As an example, in some embodiments, as
shown in Figures 30 and 31, the blade holder 24 may retain the blade 26 using
an
adhesive 226 and/or one or more fasteners 228. For instance, in some
embodiments, as shown in Figure 30, the recess 190 of the blade holder 24 may
receive the upper part of the blade 26 that is retained by the adhesive 226.
The
adhesive 226 may be an epoxy-based adhesive, a polyurethane-based adhesive, or

any suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to using
an
adhesive, as shown in Figure 31, the recess 190 of the blade holder 24 may
receive
the upper part of the blade 26 that is retained by the one or more fasteners
228.
Each fastener 228 may be a rivet, a screw, a bolt, or any other suitable
mechanical
fastener. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, as shown in
Figure 32,
the blade-retention portion 188 of the blade holder 24 may extend into a
recess 230
of the upper part of the blade 26 to retain the blade 26 using the adhesive
226
and/or the one or more fasteners 228. For instance, in some cases, the blade-
retention portion 188 of the blade holder 24 may comprise a projection 232
extending into the recess 230 of the blade 26. As another example, in some
embodiments, as shown in Figure 33, the blade 26 and the blade-retaining base
164
of the blade holder 24 may be mechanically interlocked via an interlocking
portion
234 of one of the blade-retaining base 164 and the blade 26 that extends into
an
27

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
interlocking void 236 of the other one of the blade-retaining base 164 and the
blade
26. For instance, in some cases, the blade 26 can be positioned in a mold used
for
molding the blade holder 24 such that, during molding, the interlocking
portion 234 of
the blade-retaining base 164 flows into the interlocking void 236 of the blade
26 (i.e.,
the blade holder 24 is overmolded onto the blade 26).
The blade 26 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other
embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 34 and 35, the blade 26
may comprise a runner 238 that is made of the ice-contacting material 220 and
includes the ice-contacting surface 222 and a body 240 connected to the runner
238
and made of a material 242 different from the ice-contacting material 220. The

runner 238 and the body 240 of the blade 26 may be retained together in any
suitable way. For example, in some cases, the runner 238 may be adhesively
bonded to the body 240 using an adhesive. As another example, in addition to
or
instead of being adhesively bonded, the runner 238 and the body 240 may be
fastened using one or more fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts, etc.). As
yet
another example, the runner 238 and the body 240 may be mechanically
interlocked
by an interlocking portion of one of the runner 238 and the body 240 that
extends
into an interlocking space (e.g., one or more holes, one or more recesses,
and/or
one or more other hollow areas) of the other one of the runner 238 and the
body 240
(e.g., the body 240 may be overmolded onto the runner 238).
In other embodiments, the outer shell 30 of the skate boot 22 may be
configured in
various other ways such that a given part of the outer shell 30 that is more
likely to be
impacted by a puck during play may be more protective than another part of the
outer
shell 30 that is less likely to be impacted by a puck during play. For
example, in some
embodiments, the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be more
likely to be
impacted during play than other portions of the outer shell 30 and may
therefore be
stiffer or otherwise provide better protection. For instance, in some
embodiments, a
stiffness of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be greater
than a
stiffness of the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30 such that a
ratio of the
28

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
stiffness of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 over the
stiffness of the
medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30 may be at least a certain value.
In some embodiments, a given part of the outer shell 30 that is more likely to
be impact
by a puck during play may have a hardness or an impact resistance that is
greater than
another part of the outer shell 30 that is less likely to be impacted by a
puck during
play. For instance, a hardness of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer
shell 30 may
be greater than a hardness of the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30
or an
impact resistance of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be
greater
than an impact resistance of the medial side portion 66 of the outer shell 30.
To observe the stiffness of a part of the outer shell 30, as shown in Figure
36, the part
of the outer shell 30 can be isolated from the remainder of the outer shell 30
(e.g., by
cutting, or otherwise removing the part from the outer shell 30, or by
producing the part
without the remainder of the outer shell 30) and a three-point bending test
can be
performed on the part to subject it to loading tending to bend the part in
specified ways
(along a defined direction of the part if the part is anisotropic) to observe
the rigidity of
the part and measure parameters indicative of the rigidity of the part. For
instance in
some embodiments, the three-point bending test may be based on conditions
defined
in a standard test (e.g., ISO 178(2010)).
For example, to observe the rigidity of the outer shell 30, the three-point
bending test
may be performed to subject the outer shell 30 to loading tending to bend the
outer
shell 30 until a predetermined deflection of the outer shell 30 is reached and
measure a
bending load at that predetermined deflection of the outer shell 30. The
predetermined
deflection of the outer shell 30 may be selected such as to correspond to a
predetermined strain of the outer shell 30 at a specified point of the outer
shell 30 (e.g.,
a point of the inner surface of the outer shell 30). For instance, in some
embodiments,
the predetermined strain of the outer shell 30 may between 3% and 5%. The
bending
load at the predetermined deflection of the outer shell 30 may be used to
calculate a
bending stress at the specified point of the outer shell 30. The bending
stress at the
29

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
specified point of the outer shell 30 may be calculated as o=My/l, where M is
the
moment about a neutral axis of the outer shell 30 caused by the bending load,
y is the
perpendicular distance from the specified point of the outer shell 30 to the
neutral axis
of the outer shell 30, and I is the second moment of area about the neutral
axis of the
outer shell 30. The rigidity of the outer shell 30 can be taken as the bending
stress at
the predetermined strain (i.e., at the predetermined deflection) of the outer
shell 30.
Alternatively, the rigidity of the outer shell 30 may be taken as the bending
load at the
predetermined deflection of the outer shell 30. Any other suitable test may be
used in
other embodiments (e.g., a charmin test or a forward flex test).
To provide a part of the outer shell 30 with more stiffness than another part
of the outer
shell 30, the modulus of elasticity of certain parts of the outer shell 30 may
vary_ For
instance, in some cases, the modulus of elasticity of a given one of the heel
portion 62,
the ankle portion 64, the medial side portion 66 and the lateral side portion
68 of the
outer shell 30 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of another one of
the heel
portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the medial side portion 66 and the lateral
side portion
68 of the outer shell 30. For instance, in some examples of implementation,
the
modulus of elasticity of the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may
be greater
than the modulus of elasticity of the medial side portion 66 of the outer
shell 30. In
some examples of implementation, the modulus of elasticity of the heel portion
62 of
the outer shell 30 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of the medial
side
portion 68 of the outer shell 30. This may provide additional reinforcement at
the lateral
side portion 68 and/or the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30 where impact
by a puck
may be more likely to occur during play.
In some cases, the modulus of elasticity of a given one of the heel portion
62, the ankle
portion 64, the medial side portion 66 and the lateral side portion 68 of the
outer shell
may vary. For instance, in some examples of implementation, as shown in Figure

37, the modulus of elasticity of a first area 250 of the lateral side portion
68 of the outer
30 shell 30 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of a second area 252
of the
lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30. For example, a ratio of the
modulus of

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
elasticity of the first area 250 of the lateral side portion 68 over the
modulus of elasticity
of the second area 252 of the lateral side portion 68 may be at least a
certain value. In
this example, the first area 250 is lower than the second area 252 in the
height-wise
direction of the skate 10x. For example, the first area 250 may be part of the
bottom
region 84 of the lateral side portion 68. In another example of
implementation, as
shown in Figure 38, the modulus of elasticity of a first area 254 of the heel
portion 62 of
the outer shell 30 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of a second
area 256
of the heel portion 62 of the outer shell 30. For example, a ratio of the
modulus of
elasticity of the first area 254 of the heel portion 62 over the modulus of
elasticity of the
second area 256 of the heel portion 62 may be at least a certain value. In
this example,
the first area 254 is lower than the second area 256 in the height-wise
direction of the
skate 10x. For example, the first area 254 may be part of the bottom region 88
of the
heel portion 62.
In some cases, a given one of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the
medial side
portion 66 and the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30 may be
configured to be
thicker than another one of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the
medial side
portion 66 and the lateral side portion 68 of the outer shell 30. For example,
a ratio of a
thickness of the lateral side portion 68 over a thickness of the medial side
portion 66
may be at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.4, in some cases at least 1.6,
in some
cases at least 1.8, in some cases at least 2, and in some cases even more.
In another variant, the toe cap 32 of the skate boot 22 may be configured such
that a
first part of the toe cap 32 that is more likely to be impacted by a puck
during play may
be more protective (e.g., stiffer) than a second part of the toe cap 32 that
is less likely
to be impacted by a puck during play.
For instance, a given one of the lateral side portion 118, the medial side
portion 120,
the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of the toe cap 32 may be
configured to
be stiffer than another one of the lateral side portion 118, the medial side
portion 120,
the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of the toe cap 32. For example,
a ratio
31

CA 02919599 2016-01-28
of a stiffness of the lateral side portion 118 of the toe cap 32 over a
stiffness of the
medial side portion 120 of the toe cap 32 may be at least a certain value.
To provide a part of the toe cap 32 with more stiffness than another part of
the toe cap
32, the modulus of elasticity of certain parts of the toe cap 32 may vary. For
instance,
in some cases, the modulus of elasticity of a given one of the lateral side
portion 118,
the medial side portion 120, the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of
the toe
cap 32 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of another one of the
lateral side
portion 118, the medial side portion 120, the end portion 122 and the upper
portion 124
of the toe cap 32. For instance, in some examples of implementation, the
modulus of
elasticity of the lateral side portion 118 of the toe cap 32 may be greater
than the
modulus of elasticity of the medial side portion 120 of the toe cap 32. In
some
examples of implementation, the modulus of elasticity of the end portion 122
of the toe
cap 32 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of the medial side
portion 120 of
the toe cap 32. This may provide additional reinforcement at the lateral side
portion
118 and/or the end portion 122 of the toe cap 32 where impact by a puck may be
more
likely to occur during play.
In some cases, the modulus of elasticity of a given one of the lateral side
portion 118,
the medial side portion 120, the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of
the toe
cap 32 may vary. For instance, in one example of implementation, as shown in
Figure
39, the modulus of elasticity of a first area 258 of the lateral side portion
118 of the toe
cap 32 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of a second area 260 of
the
lateral side portion 118 of the toe cap 32. For example, a ratio of the
modulus of
elasticity of the first area 258 of the lateral side portion 118 over the
modulus of
elasticity of the second area 260 of the lateral side portion 118 may be at
least a
certain value. In this example, the first area 258 is lower than the second
area 260 in
the height-wise direction of the skate 10.. For example, the first area 258
may be part
of the bottom region 90 of the toe cap 32.
To implement different stiffnesses at different parts of the toe cap 32, the
toe cap 32
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CA 02919599 2016-01-28
may comprise a plurality of materials having different properties. For
example, with
additional reference to Figure 40, the toe cap 32 may comprise a second
synthetic
material 115 different from the first synthetic material 105 of the toe cap
32. The
second synthetic material 115 of the toe cap 32 may be stiffer than the first
synthetic
material 105 of the toe cap 32. For example, a ratio of the modulus of
elasticity of the
second synthetic material 115 of the toe cap 32 over the modulus of elasticity
of the
first synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may be at least a certain
value.
In one example of implementation, with additional reference to Figure 41, an
overlay
135 comprising the second synthetic material 115 of the toe cap 32 may be
disposed
over the first synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32. For instance, the
second
synthetic material 115 of the toe cap 32 may be bonded to the first synthetic
material
105 of the toe cap 32 in any suitable way. For example, the second synthetic
material
115 of the toe cap 32 may be adhesively bonded, stitched, welded (e.g.,
ultrasonically
welded) or overmolded onto the first synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32.
In another example of implementation, in order to make a part of the toe cap
32 stiffer,
the toe cap 32 may be configured such that its thickness Tc varies. For
example, a
given one of the lateral side portion 118, the medial side portion 120, the
end portion
122 and the upper portion 124 of the toe cap 32 may have a thickness that is
greater
than a thickness of another one of the lateral side portion 118, the medial
side portion
120, the end portion 122 and the upper portion 124 of the toe cap 32. This may
impart
reinforcement at selected portion(s) of the toe cap 32 that are more likely to
be
impacted during play.
In one example of implementation, the bottom region 90 of the toe cap 32 may
have a
thickness that is greater than a remainder of the toe cap 90. As another
example, a
thickness of the lateral side portion 118 of the toe cap 32 may be greater
than a
thickness of the medial side portion 120 of the toe cap 32. In some cases, a
thickness
of the end portion 122 of the toe cap 32 may be greater than the thickness of
the
medial side portion 120 of the toe cap 32. The thickness of the toe cap 32 may
vary in
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CA 02919599 2016-01-28
any other suitable way.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the thickness of a given one of the lateral
side
portion 118, the medial side portion 120, the end portion 122 and the upper
portion 124
of the toe cap 32 may vary. For instance, as shown in Figure 20, a thickness
Tci of a
first area 128 of the lateral side portion 118 may be greater than a thickness
Tc2 of a
second area 130 of the lateral side portion 118. A ratio of the thickness Tci
of the first
area 128 over the thickness 1C2 of the second area 130 may be at least 1.1, in
some
cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, and in some cases even more.
In this
example, the first area 128 is lower than the second area 130 in the height-
wise
direction of the skate 10x such that a lower area of the lateral side portion
118 is thicker
than an upper area of the lateral side portion 118.
In one example of implementation, the different thicknesses at different parts
of the toe
cap 32 may be provided through the second synthetic material 115 of the toe
cap 32
when it is used as an overlay that is disposed over the first synthetic
material 105 of the
toe cap 32. For instance, the second synthetic material 115 of the toe cap 32
may have
a thickness different from a thickness of the first synthetic material 105 of
the toe cap
32. For example, the thickness of the second synthetic material 115 of the toe
cap 32
may be less than the thickness of the first synthetic material 105 of the toe
cap 32.
Although in embodiments considered above the skate 10x is designed for playing
ice
hockey on the playing surface 12 which is ice, in other embodiments, the skate
10),
may be constructed using principles described herein for playing roller hockey
or
another type of hockey (e.g., field or street hockey) on the playing surface
12 which
is a dry playing surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, wooden, or turf playing
surface
or any other dry playing surface on which roller hockey or field or street
hockey is
played). Thus, in other embodiments, instead of comprising a skating device
that
comprises the blade 26, the skate 10x may comprise a skating device that
comprises
a set of wheels to roll on the dry playing surface 12.
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CA 02919599 2016-01-28
In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be
used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.
Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain
embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be
within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain
embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element
that
is not specifically disclosed herein.
To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an element in
one
figure designates the same element if used in any other figures. In describing
the
embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of
description
but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so
selected, and it
is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.
Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose
of
describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications will become

apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this
invention, which is
defined more particularly by the attached claims.
35

Representative Drawing